Method of making socket for electrical hardware and fittings



March 25, 1952 c. s. c

METHOD OF MAKING SOCKET ARD FOR ELECTRICAL HARDWARE AND FITTINGS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1948 JNVENTOR. CHARLES S. CARD m ,3 Km

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 25, 1952 METHOD OF MAKING SOCKET FOR ELEC- TRICAL HARDWARE AND FITTINGS Charles S. Card, Cortland, Brewer-Titchener Cor N. Y., assignor to The poration, Cortland, N. Y.,

a corporation of New York Application February 17, 1348, Serial No. 8,818

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improved method of making a socket such as a ball socket for elec trical transmission hardware and fittings.

Fittings of this type are generally provided with suitable supporting or connecting means :such as a clevis or socket whereby the fitting is connected to a support orinsulator or to another fitting. Heretofore, the making of the socket has presented difficulties. Thus, it has been common practice to form the fitting itself by a forging operation or operations. However, due to the necessity of forming the socket with undercut portions it has been general practice to machine the socket in the fitting. It will be appreciated that the machining operations are costly and that accordingly they serve to increase. the cost of the fitting. Other methods, heretofore attempted, of making the socket have also had disadvantages of one kind or another.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages and difficulties heretofore encountered and to provide an improved .method for makinga socket of the above type in hardware items such as electrical transmission fittings. My improved method is simple and inexpensive and produces a ball socket of superior quality. In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevational View partially fragmentary of a fitting having a ball socket therein made in accordance with my invention. This figure also shows in dotted lines a ball bolt and cotter pin assembled with the fitting;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view partially fragment o e fitt n Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing dies of the type which may be used in perform ing the forging operation of my invention and showing a billet interposed therebetween;

Fig. 4 is asimilar sectional view of the dies in closed position with the partially complete-d fitting shown therein;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the dies on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective iew from the top of the fitting after the completion of the forging opera tion shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view partially in section showing the side pieces or bending dies with the work interposed therebetween in position for the beginning of the bending operation;

Fig. 8 is a side view partially sectional showing the work resting on an anvil and with the other parts in the position they assume at the beginning of the bending operation; and

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the 2 fitting after the completion of the bending opera tion.

For the purposes of illustration I have shown and described my invention herein as applied to the method of making a ball socket in a particular type of electrical transmission fitting known as a socket eye adaptor. The fitting is fully illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and consists of a cylindrical portion I 0 at one end having an eye or opening ll formed therein and connected by web 12 to the ball socket portion l3 in which the undercut socket i4 is formed.

The socket is of the type which has a side enrance opening I5 and a domed top 16 partially overlapping the socket and having a top opening I! which communicates with the side opening !5. It should be noted that the upper portion of the side walls at the side entrance open ing turn inwardly as indicated at l8 serving as retaining portions to prevent the actual release of the ball bolt when assembled therein. The lower portion of the side opening beneath the retaining portions I8 fiares outwardly providing sufiicient clearance to permit the insertion and removal of the ball bolt.

In Fig. l the ball bolt is indicated in dotted lines at 19. It is inserted through the side entrance opening |5 specifically through the lower portion is thereof with its connecting shank extending outwardly through the top opening l1. When fully inserted in the socket. it is elevated upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 and a cotter key or pin such as indicated in dotted lines at 20 is inserted through the opening 2| provided at the rear of the ball socket. The ball bolt is thus held in elevated position and the retaining portions l8 and the overlapping portion of the dome socket prevent its release. therefrom.

In carrying out my present invention I contemplate first forging from a billet of metal a fitting having a ball socket with the side walls flaring outwardly at the side opening in the manner shown in Fig. 6. Thereafter, I bend the upper end of the side walls inwardly at the side entrance opening, producing the fitting as shown in Fig. 9. Thereafter, whatever final operations are required for the completion of the article such as machining, finishing, etc., can be performed.

Referring first to the forging operation, I prefer to forge the socket from the direction of the side opening and I also prefer to simultaneously forge the other portions of the fittin In hi connection a billet 2! of suitable material such as iron, steel or the like is first heated to the tween upper and lower dies 22 and 23 having die cavities 24 and 25 conforming in shape and size with the fitting to be formed. Thus, it will be seen that in the present instance the cavity is formed with a cylindrical portion, web portion and socket portion conforming with the portions of the fitting. 1

The dies are arranged so that the fitting will extend longitudinally thereof and so that the ball socket will be forged from the direction of its side entrance opening. In this connection the upper die 22 is formed with a forging tongue 26 which tapers towards its lower end and flares outwardly towards its upper end and extends downwardly into the ball socket portion of the lower die cavity when the dies are closed.

The dies are brought together under pressure as shown in Figs. 4 and with the result that the billet is forged in the manner shown therein forming the cylindrical portion Hi, eye portion II and socket portion l3. However, due to the fact that the forging tongue 26 flares outwardly towards the topit will be seen that the side walls of the socket of the fitting also flare outwardly at the side opening 15. This is clearly shown in Fig. 6 where the outwardly flared upper portion of the side walls is indicated by the numeral 30.

After completion of the forging operation the partially completed fitting may be cooled and trimmed and will then appear as shown in Fig. 6. Thereafter, the bending operation may be performed on the upper portion of the side walls of the socket adjacent the side entrance opening. This bending operation may be performed while the socket is cold or, if preferred, while the fitting is hot from the forging operation or the fitting or the socket portion thereof may be reheated.

One satisfactory method of performing the bending operation is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. Thus, I have illustrated a tool 3| having a handle portion 32 and a ball portion 33 conforming in size and shape generally with the size and shape of the ball bolt to be used with the socket. The ball portion of the tool is inserted through the side entrance opening into the upper portion of the socket as shown in Fig. 7. The tool is also provided with a rectangular web portion 34 which projects outwardly through the upper portion of the side entrance opening and serves as a spacer to hold theupper portion of the side walls the proper distance apart in the bending operation. The tool 3! may be manually inserted into the socket'in the manner shown. Thereafter, a tongue like punch, mandrel or wedge 35 is inserted into the lower portion of the ball socket beneath. the ball portion 33 of the tool as indicated in Fig. 7. The shape and contour of the ball portionof the tool and also of the punch are such as to conform with the desired finished contour of the socket. Also, the surfaces of the ball portion of the tool and of the punch should be smooth so as to provide a smooth inner surface to the socket.

The punch 35 is suitably supported in a wellknown manner and may be automatically or manually shiftable into and out of operative position. The work and the tool 3| is supported in a suitable anvil 36 which has a cavity to receive the parts. Also, as shown in Fig. 8 the lower portion of web 34 is cut away as indicated at 31 so as to provide clearance for the dom e like top of the socket.

When the fitting has been placed in the anvil 3B and the ball end of the tool 3! has been inserted in the socket thereof, punch or mandrel 35 is lowered into position in the socket beneath the ball 33. The parts then occupy the position shown in Fig. 7. It will be noted that there is clearance between the ball 33 and the upper ends 30 of the side walls at the side opening l5 so that they may be bent inwardly and partially around the ball at this point. However, tongue or mandrel 35 prevents the lower portion of the side walls from being bent inwardly. Suitable means may then be brought to bear upon the upper portion of the side walls to cause them to bend inwardly in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 so as to provide retaining portions 18.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a pair of side pieces or bending dies 38 which move inwardly in the direction of the arrows and bend the side walls in the desired manner. The bending dies are similar in construction, being mirror-images of each other, and are provided with cavities 39 which embrace the side walls of the socket portion of the fitting when the dies are moved inwardly. The upper die as viewed in Fig. '7 is sectioned approximately through the center thereof so that the die cavity is clearly shown. The upper portion of each of the dies is formed so that it will cause the outwardly flared upper portion 30 of the side walls to bend inwardly around the ball and engage against the spacing web 34 of the tool. This will be appreciated from an inspection of the die shown in the lower portion of Fig. 7. After the dies 38 have been brought together so as to bend the upper side walls inwardly forming the retaining portions IS, the dies 38 are then separated, punch 35 is withdrawn from the socket and the ball portion 33 of the tool is manually removed from the socket. The fitting will then appear as shown in Fig. 9 ready for the machining and finishing operations. Thereafter, the eye I l and aperture 2i may be formed therein and if desired suitable protecting or finishing material may be applied to the fitting.

It will be appreciated that I have thus provided an improved, simplified method of making a ball socket in hardware items such as electrical transmission fittings. The fitting when completed may be used in the usual manner and it will be understood that the ball bolt when properly inserted in the socket with a cotter key therebeneath in the manner shown in Fig. 1 will be securely retained in place against accidental displacement. My method accordingly permits the production of a fitting of high quality at a relatively low cost. While I have illustrated my invention as applied to a socket eye adaptor, it will be appreciated that it is equally applicable to the formation of sockets in other hardware items or fittings.

For purposes of convenience, I have referred tothe upper portion of the socket and fitting as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 as the top or upper portion. It should be understood, however, that the fitting may be used in horizontal or vertical positions and that the words top or upper portion are not intended to limit the physical location of the parts. Modifications may be made in the illustrated and described embodiment of my invention without departing from the invention as set forth in the accompanying claim.

I claim:

The method of making from a blank of metal a fitt n aving a Pallsocket adapted to removably receive a ball fitting and having a side entrance opening and a top opening communicating therewith which comprises: first heating the blank to forging temperature; forging a socket in the blank from one side thereof so as to form a socket with a base, outwardly flared side walls and a side opening at the end of the outwardly flared side walls with the side walls turned inwardly at the top so as to form an inturned lip with a top opening communicating with the socket and extending to the side opening from a point adjacent the wall opposite to the side opening and flaring outwardly substantially parallel to the side walls; thereafter inserting in the socket a tool having curved upper surfaces similar to the surfaces of the ball fitting which is to be used with the socket and having an upwardly extending web which is inserted in the top opening; then inserting a wedge-like mandrel in the lower portion of the socket between the base and the tool so as to force the tool against the top of the socket and with the mandrel projecting outwardly through the lower portion of the side opening so as to provide support for the lower portion of the side Walls but leaving the upper portion of the side walls adjacent the side opening unsupported by the tool or mandrel; next bending the unsupported upper ends of the side walls while they are at forging temperature inwardly around the Web and around the top and sides of the tool so as to provide a concave top for the socket with a slotted opening and with 6 ball retaining portions at the upper end of the side entrance opening and with the lower portion of the side walls held in spread condition by the mandrel so as to provide an enlarged entrance at the lower portion of the side opening; then removing the mandrel through the lower portion of the side opening; and finally shifting the tool to the lower portion of the socket and removing it through the entrance portion of the side opening.

CHARLES S. CARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 753,316 Russell Mar. 1, 1904 1,031,982 Caswell July 9, 1912 1,050,422 Birchwood Jan. 14, 1913 1,284,974 Austin Nov. 29, 1918 1,455,188 Cox May 15, 1923 1,463,601 Stover July 31, 1923 1,491,965 Nelson Apr. 29, 1924 1,647,447 Hartnett Nov. 1, 1927 1,900,049 Ellison Mar. 7, 1933 1,925,721 Johnston Sept. 5, 1933 2,120,118 Smith June 7, 1938 2,276,052 Lindsay Mar. 10, 1942 2,390,867 Brauchler Dec. 11, 1945 2,403,402 Rossi July 2, 1946 2,431,851 Warden Dec. 2, 1947 

